Horses in our backyard

Pink Think: “The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire.” – Sharon Ralls Lemon

Our horses eating their dinner in our backyard!

It was a crazy start to having horses in our backyard. Amidst a downpour, with Drew taking the horses home and having to stop occasionally because the rain was coming down so hard, our five horses – Wixie, Raffiki, Quincy, Lovey and Taia – finally joined us in our backyard.

We are renting a beautiful three year old house on an acre of land and hope to start building a house on horse property in a few weeks.

It’s dark outside now and I see a horse moving around occasionally. I think they are huddled a little under a huge tree to get out of the brunt of the rain.

I like the thought that our horses are back there now. I want to remember this occasion because it’s such a milestone for our family. Eight years from that fateful day when our oldest had a horse riding party for her birthday, and we now have horses in our backyard.

*Pinch*

I never pictured myself being so excited about this day. If you’d asked me eight years ago, I’d have said, “No way, Jose.” Heck, not even two years ago. I’ve had a change of heart since, and when I have time, I will tell you how that came about in another post.

Before we took them home today, we went to a party for my husband’s work, a horseback riding party. We loped down a stretch of cut-hay field, loping and just having fun on our horses.

And now they’re home.

If I seem like a broken record, I think it’s because I’m still dazed from the turn of events from the past few months.

***

We put our house up for sale at start of summer, really serious this time, because we wanted this to happen – be able to sell our house and make a down payment on six acres of property in the same city, with a house that is planned around pets and horses. So serious were we that I even painted our red breakfast nook a neutral color (it was a HUGE concession, believe me).

Two years ago, we tried selling, with no success. This time around felt different. We had a lot of people look at our house and got an offer after two months. That first offer fell through and our hopes were crushed, only to be buoyed again when another offer came through the next day.

I didn’t really pack very seriously, not at first, because I didn’t want to jinx the process. But eventually, we did, working ’round the clock, it seemed. Not to mention I was trying to juggle my clients at Treasured Stories.

I was still cleaning out the fridge the day of possession, but we made it! We got moved out. (No small thanks to all our wonderful wonderful friends and neighbors. You are awesome!!!) It’s a lot like childbirth. Traumatic, but we got through it and maybe I’ll even forget it the next time we move again to the “real” house.

Here we are. And here our horses are. It’s the start of another adventure, and I’m grateful.